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Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) managing director, Givemore Makoni, has said that the sport’s governing body in the country was unaware of any match-fixing allegations during the recently-ended second edition of the Zim Afro T10 league.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is said to have launched an investigation into alleged suspicious activities during the 10-over cricket league. The investigation is focused on alleged wrongdoings in a match between the Durban Wolves and the Harare Bolts.
It is being said that a few cricketers were involved in suspicious activity during the 10-over cricket league with the probe specifically focusing on two overs that raised alarm bells due to a high number of extras, including wides and no-balls, in that match between Durban Wolves and Harare Bolts.
However, when Zimpapers Sports Hub reached out for a comment from ZC, Makoni said they have not received any communication regarding the probe from ICC and therefore, could not comment on social media posts.
“We have not received anything from ICC. No communication has come to us, we haven’t received anything official. We cannot comment on social media posts,” he said.
Efforts to reach ZC chairperson, Tavengwa Mukuhlani, were fruitless.
The news of the match-fixing allegations was brought to light by Pakistani journalist, Saleem Khaliq on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
“Investigations have begun into the alleged suspicious activities of some cricketers in the Zim Afro T10 League. The ICC Anti-Corruption Unit has also questioned players and officials, including some Pakistanis.
“A mobile phone belonging to one individual has been confiscated. Officials became alert during one match due to an excessive number of wides and no-balls,” posted Khaliq.
In the sixth over of the match allegedly in question from the ICC’s Anti-Corruption, UAE cricketer Kashif Daud raised eyebrows.
The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit is said to have wasted no time, actively questioning players and officials too. In an extraordinary arrangement, Daud’s 14-ball over saw 20 runs scored, including a staggering seven wides and two no-balls, which was an unusual pattern and sparked suspicion. Adding fuel to the fire, Afghanistan pacer Dawlat Zadran conceded 23 runs in the ninth over, including an abnormal number of extras, with eight wides alone.
Apart from these bowlers, Yasir Shah bowled only one over in the match, conceding 30 runs, including three wides and three sixes.
These suspicious overs are said to have triggered intense scrutiny. The second edition of the Zim Afro T10 League was held from September 21 to 29 at Harare Sports Club. Joburg Bangla Tigers were crowned champions after a five-run win over Cape Town Samp Army in the final.
Online Reporter